Once in a while, things do get accomplished around here. I tend to start a lot of projects, and sometimes they don’t always get finished in any kind of timely manner, but things do get accomplished.

The trees are coming along. Sara, the black lab, really enjoys digging up newly planted trees, over and over again. I, on the other hand, do not enjoy planting the same trees over and over again. Those of you who can make leaps of logic have already figured out the conflict brewing. I have found a new use for the end product of the dog’s food processing abilities. (hint: they won’t dig in their own poo)

Speaking of little helpers:

MEG was supervising the installation of the new safety gate. She says I did a fine job.

Yesterday was her first birthday, and, of course, her first official birthday ‘cake:

Yes, that is frosting all over her face. And hands. And dress. And Dad’s shirt. And Dad’s hands. What you can’t see is the frosting and crumbs all over Gramma’s floor.

In case I don’t get a chance to do so later, let me take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

TMBWitW is on vacation this week, which means that I can get some projects finished up since I won’t have MEG attached.

Or does it?

This is the week before Christmas, and TMBWitW also has projects and plans. So, we work out compromises.

For example, yesterday I had planned to pick up my new table saw (new to me, the guy selling it is moving to the mountains and he doesn’t have a shop … yet) and then go over to our friend’s house and get the above-ground pool that she is giving us. Our friend has sold her house and is moving, and she doesn’t have room for the pool at the new place, and since she got it for free she offered it to us, since she knows that Logan’s therapy (pool time – he loves to swim and it doesn’t hurt his legs) is a bit pricey, she offered us the pool. Only thing is I would need to dismantle it and move it.

First thing in the morning, I headed over to the church property to get the trailer, and then called the guy I was buying the saw from. He gave me directions, and it was only then that I realized it was about an hour away. Well, the price was really good, so I didn’t quibble about the drive. Once I got the saw home, I unloaded it into the garage “for now” and headed over to our friends house. The dismantling wasn’t so bad – with the exception of a few rusted or stripped screws, the parts are easy to reassemble. So, six hours later I was unloading the pool parts into the garage also.

Now all I have to do is move both purchases into the backyard. First, though, I have to clear a space for the pool. And then build a ramp for Logan to get up to the rim and into the pool. And build a shelter for the saw. Oh, yeah – and finish planting the trees.

Why am I sitting here telling you this? I gotta get going …

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

First, a quick open note to Loon: The post you suggested is on it’s way. I’ve got to gather my thoughts for that one.

Second: I promised a few pictures of the yard before the trees go in. Here’s one, ignore the small brown lumps on the ground. I do have five dogs, you know.

The dog on the left is Logan, he of the polyneuropathy, where the nerves and the muscles don’t talk to one another. As you can see, his hind end doesn’t work as well as his front end, but he still manages to get around. The black flag tail in the lower right is Mackenzie, the hyper-active Cocker/Dachshund mix who is more bark than bite. She thinks she’s in charge. She’s not.

This shows the back left corner, where the plan is for a Chinese Elm to arch over a two-seat swing. The other back corner (not pictured) will have a park bench under another Chinese Elm. Or maybe it will be the other way around. TMBWitW is in charge of furniture placement. We’ll see where what ends up where. Notice Mackenzie inspecting my work.

Third: Have a great week!

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!